Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-03-11-Speech-2-036"
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"en.20030311.3.2-036"2
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"Mr President, the President of the Commission recalled the context of the Commission’s strategy for 2004.
Mr Prodi was bound to speak of the crisis over Iraq, enlargement and the strategic need for a political project for an enlarged Union. He also referred to the in-depth assessment of ourselves and our role in the world currently under way in the Convention preparing for the Intergovernmental Conference. A number of other issues were mentioned such as the entry into force of the Treaty of Nice and, more directly relevant to the budget, the entry into force of the new Financial Regulation on 1 January.
I should like to focus on foreign policy. Clearly, the Union needs an effective, transparent and visible foreign policy. It would therefore be appropriate for the Commission to give some indication of how the policy on decentralisation has evolved. An update on abnormal outstanding payment commitments would also be helpful. Parliament has been concerned about both these issues for some time now.
In my view, serious thought should be given to heading 4 on foreign policy. We have been making do and mending for years. We are, however, likely to be called on to take urgent decisions on Iraq. We need to deal with Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Balkans and Mediterranean policy too. In addition I believe it is essential for us to review our transatlantic relations. They are bound to be affected following the conflict with Iraq. Last but not least, Commissioner, we should tackle the matter of relations with Latin America.
I urge the Commission to be consistent as it presents this year’s draft budget proposals. It must honour the undertakings given at the Madrid Summit. Additional priorities cannot be financed out of the same resources. For instance, the Commission is adjusting the system of generalised preferences for countries such as Colombia or Costa Rica, and the Commission is not expected to suggest further budgetary cuts in the draft proposals.
Commissioner, I urge you to bear these considerations in mind. In my view, if we wish to develop an ambitious foreign policy we must consider how to make available the necessary resources to move forward in the context of foreign policy and defence policy. If we do not do so I believe we shall continue to be excluded from negotiating tables and be reduced to bankrolling major international events. We will never be involved in decision-making.
I congratulate Mr Prodi on the vision he has shown on opening this debate on strategic priorities. The debate should be linked to the debate on budget guidelines for 2004."@en1
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